Brig. Gen. Steven D. Hayden assumed responsibility of the 80th Training Command (The Army School System) during a ceremony at Fort Lee, Virginia, on Oct. 15, 2022, as outgoing commander Maj. Gen. Tripp Bowles relinquished command. The deputy commanding general of the United States Army Reserve, Maj. Gen. Eugene LeBoeuf, served as the presiding officer for the event.

Currently assigned as the deputy commanding general of the 80th, Hayden expressed confidence that his experience in that role helped prepare him for his new responsibilities, and he thanked the outgoing commanding general for his leadership and guidance.

“[Maj. Gen.] Bowles basically challenged me from the get-go with some key things that really were important for our command, and by that challenge …I really do feel prepared to take this interim position and be successful,” Hayden remarked. “That’s the sign of a true leader: how you can develop your subordinates. And it definitely was key in the short time I’ve been here.”

Hayden is no stranger to balancing his military responsibilities with his civilian life, but his dedication to duty was on particular display this weekend. Reflecting on the themes of selfless service and the “Citizen Soldier” ethos, Bowles emphasized that Hayden truly embodied the ideals of being “twice the citizen” as he was also dealing with the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Ian back in his hometown of Fort Myers, Florida. “[Brig. Gen.] Hayden just lived through a hurricane,” observed Bowles. “He’s a small businessman down in Florida. His whole business is going out and putting in generators and fixing generators. If you don’t think that’s a crazy time - it’s still going on. And yet, he’s here… taking care of business. That’s model of what we ask.” In his civilian career, Hayden is the president and CEO of Bo’s Electric.

The Saturday morning ceremony included the traditional passing of the unit guidon, representing the transfer of authority and continuity of leadership for the command, as well as the firing of cannons in a symbolic “13 gun salute” honoring the outgoing commander.